The Salinger Stakes 2016 is the last of nine Group races running at Flemington Racecourse on VRC Derby Day, betting tips and the latest odds on the handicap sprint listed below.
Ocean Embers is the Races.com.au tip to upset the boys in the 2016 Salinger Stakes results on Derby Day at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Set to close the card as Flemington Race 9 at 5:20pm (AEDT) this Saturday, a final field of eleven sprinters is set to face off in the $300,000 Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) – run as the TAB.com.au Stakes.
Of the runners in the mix for the straight sprint showdown, the one the bookies are tipping for the win in the updated Salinger Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au is Southern Legend ($4.20).
Steady money has come in for the favourite, drawn in gate eight, who is prepared in Sydney by Les Bridge and who debuts in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Not A Single Doubt gelding has upside and has been close without winning at his last two when under a length off Mackintosh in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) and 1.5 lengths back for fifth to Takedown in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) last start.
The gelding did it tough from a wide alley last time out and should relish the roomier straight track on the weekend dropping down to the 54.5kg minimum (from 58.5kg).
His biggest dangers according the Salinger Stakes odds are equal $5.50 second elects Keen Array who shoots for a third win on the trot and the Chris Waller-trained Group 1 placed Redoute’s Choice stallion Counterattack.
So will the top fancies get the job done in the last or is there an upset Salinger Stakes result on the cards from the likes of Joe Pride’s distance specialist Ball Of Muscle ($14) or the in-form Peter Gelagotis-trained Illustrious Lad ($11)?
1st
#8 Ocean Embers ($10)
Getting the run on the rails is Shea Eden’s Cranbourne-trained Beneteau mare who may just have the upside over the boys. The four-year-old won two on the trot at Caulfield including the Group 3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) in a tough run from barrier 14 of 14. She then took on a class field in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) and was far from disgraced running fourth to Star Turn, one of the best in Coolmore Stud Stakes betting on Saturday, last start. She will be better off that run, can handle this field on the light weight at double-figures with Craig Williams aboard with the right run late.
2nd
#5 Keen Array ($5.50)
Lots of boxes ticked by the consistent Lindsay Park-trained Bel Esprit four-year-old who comes off back-to-back wins over the distance at Caulfield. Is a placegetter at Flemington, and returns to the track down in class after a second last in the Group 1 Newmarket in the autumn. Latest two are Listed wins, drops notably in weight from 59.5kg last time out when winning by two lengths to 56.5kg here and from barrier four with Joao Moreira here to win this is your danger in peak form.
3rd
#1 Dibayani ($20)
Like the big odds on the 58kg top weight who has class and is flying, but needs to give away the kilos and come back to a sprint distance. Stablemate of Keen Array, this Shamardal seven-year-old has finished in the money three times this campaign including the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) second to Hauraki in Sydney last time out. Was nothing in that photo finish, but he rises four kilos for this. Could find the drop to 1200m a bit sharp, but he’s got enough on the record to suggest a top three finish isn’t outside his reach even at the short distance.
Think you’ve got the genuine contenders sorted from the pretenders in your Salinger Stakes 2016 betting tips? Head to the country’s number one sportsbook Ladbrokes.com.au now for all the best Derby Day odds and offers!
